Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Shaw argues that medieval church leaders depicted Islam negatively due to ignorance or prejudice, viewing Muhammad and his faith as enemies of Christianity.
In plain terms
Church leaders hated Muhammad and Islam because they were ignorant or bigoted, not because of facts.
What can you take from it?
Historical religious bias often stems from ignorance rather than knowledge.

Where it applies

  • discussing religious history
  • analyzing medieval texts
  • examining bias

Putting it to work

  • critiquing historical accounts
  • teaching religious tolerance

Questions to consider

  • How does ignorance shape religious hatred?
  • What sources challenge this view?

Another view

The quote generalizes all medieval ecclesiastics without nuance.

More from George Bernard Shaw

  1. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the …

    Permalink to quote #219
  2. Europe is beginning to be enamored of the creed of Muhammad. In the next century I may go still further in recognizing the utility of that creed in solving its…

    Permalink to quote #221
  3. I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that a…

    Permalink to quote #218

Related quotes

  1. [T]he Jewish people were driven by their drunkenness and plumpness to the ultimate evil; they kicked about, they failed to accept the yoke of Christ, nor did t…

    John ChrysostomJohn Chrysostom quote #1
  2. What has been presented as Christianity during these nineteen centuries is only a beginning, full of mistakes, not full blown Christianity springing from the s…

    Albert SchweitzerAlbert Schweitzer quote #2
  3. Before they committed the crime of crimes, before they killed their Master, before the cross, before the slaying of Christ, [Jewish sacrifices were] an abomina…

    John ChrysostomJohn Chrysostom quote #2